How to Transplant Wild Muscadine

Locate a wild muscadine vine any time from spring through the early fall. The vines are most easily identifiable in the late summer, which is when the grapes develop.

Insert a shovel into the soil 12 inches from the base of the vine and push it all the way in. Remove a small section of soil and set it to the side. Repeat the process around the base of the muscadine vine to create a trench. Deepen the trench, if needed, until it is 8 inches deep, which is the typical depth for muscadine roots.

Angle the shovel under the base of the vine and push it into the soil. Lean back on the shovel handle to lift the muscadine rootball out of the soil.

Open a piece of burlap and gently place the vine, roots down, into its center. Wrap the burlap's sides up around the base of the vine and secure it with string.

Locate a new planting site that has dark, rich soil and drains well, especially immediately following rainfall. The location should have full to partial sunlight and be near a wall, fence or other vertical surface that can support the vine as it grows.

Dig an 8-inch-deep trench using the shovel; make it at least 10 inches wide.

Cut the string away from the burlap and unwrap the root ball.

Place the vine, roots down, into the trench and straighten the roots out to the side, making sure that they all run in one direction.

Place 3 to 4 inches of the soil back into the trench and pat it gently to firm it around the roots.

Fill in the remainder of the trench with soil and then pat it down again.

Water the soil to an 8-inch depth and then spread a 1-inch layer of mulch on top of soil to prevent moisture loss. Avoid placing the mulch on the plant itself to prevent burning the tender growth.